Tilting steering wheel for motor vehicles



June 23, 1925.

D. BEHRSiNG ET AL TILTING STEERING WHEEL FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 3Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 6, 1922 @5% Gcrowm June 23, 1925. ,1,543,047

D. BEHRSING Ear AL TILTNG STEERING WHEEL FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Nov.6, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 1925.

D. BEHRSING ET ALQ TILTING STEERING WHEEL FOR MOTOR EHICLES Filed NOV.6, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5IIIIIIIIIIIII|llll'fllllllllllllllllllllllllllll! gmfmceygmkm @Zug fm'.

Patented June 23, 192.5.

y UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

.DAVIDIBEHRSINGAND CLARENCE A. GoDsHALH, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA,AssIeNORs To Fox AUTOMOTIVE PRODUOTs cORPoRATION, OP PHILADELPHIA,PENNsYI-.VANIA, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.y

' 'TILTING STEERING WHEEL EOR MOTOR VEHICLES. i

Application filed November 6,1922. Serial N0. 599,292.

To all whom it may concern.' Y Be it known that we, DAVID BEHRsING andVLARENCE A. GoDsI-IALH, lcitizens of "the United States, residing atPhiladelphia', vin the county of Philadelphia vand State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and fuseful Improvements inTilting Steering Wheels for Motor Vehicles, of which the following is aspecification.

Y Our invention vrelates to steering mechanism for motor vehicles,particularly to that type employing 'a hand wheel that is adapted to bedisconnected at ,the pleasure of the operator from the steering shaft,so that' when so disconnected the shaft cannot be turned for steeringthe vehicle, and'that is also adapted to be tilted in order to give moreroom to the driver Ifor leaving or taking his seat in the vehicle.v Wehave represented our invention as applied tothe steering mechanism of acar-of the Ford type, al-

thoughit is 'not limited to cars of that type.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a View partly in elevation andFig. 6 is aperspective view, also enlarged.

and with parts broken away, illustrating the non-tilting portion of thespider hub. v Fig. 7 is a perspective View, enlarged, of

the capof the Vgear case.

Fig. '8 is a perspective View, also enlarged,

illustrating detached the. spring-operated catch employed to holdtogether and in working position-.the tilting and non-tilting portionsof the spider hub. -f

Referringl to the drawings 2 indicates the stationary non-rotat-ablecolumn of the steercase supported at the upper end of such column, and 4the cap that closes the "upper open endof'theY gear case. The rotatablesteering shaft 5 has keyed Ato it a part, desigpartly in sectionillustrating our invention,

ing mechanism of a motor vehicle, 3 the gearI nated 6, that we ternithey spider hub, because the spider 9 that supports the rim 8 of thesteering wheel is connected'thereto and the .part 6 serves as the hubltherefor when the wheel lis in use. 7 designates the nut engaging thescrew-threaded end of the shaft 5 andv holding the spider hub 6in place.v.The spiderhub ispreferably 0f the construction represented in Figs. 5,6 and7. It comprises a non-tilting portion consisting'of a block 27 ofrectangular form in out- 65 line having parallel flat sides 28 andkeyedV to the shaft 5 at its center portion, 10. From theunderside.ofthe block 27 extends a cylin-. drical projection 29 recessed to -receiveand f lit Over'an extension 12 from the upper face of the cap 4 of thegear case. A plurality of lugs 14,V preferably'four in number, eX- tendvout radially from the extension 12 and serve va purpose thatwillpresently be described. `On`e ofthese lugs, designated, 14', andtheon'ewhich we term the front* lug, is larger than the others, and in it isYformed a" recess 19 constituting a seatfor a loclr 20. This lock ispreferably a key-operated lock with a cylindrical body fitting therecess 19, in which it is adapted to slide bodily. The extension12,which is concentric with the shaft 5, has'formed in it a plurality,preferably four, of recesses lthat are adapted to receive vthe innerlend ofthe body of the S5 lock 2O when that is moved inward. The lock visformed with a' radial bolt 30 that is key-operatedY and is preferablynormally projected outward'by a spring so las to oc.- cupy a recessBl inthe lug 14 and thus hold the lock in its outer position and free fromthe extension 12 whenever the lock case is drawn out as represented inFig. 2. The eX- tension 12 being carried by a ApartV of the gear case,is stationary, while they lock, be- 95 ing carried'by the spider hub,always turns with the steering wheel. Vhen the car is running and thesteering wheel is in use the lock 20 occupies the position representedin Fig. 2, that is, it is in its outerposition, and. the wheel is freeto turn relative to the gear case, the skirt or extension 29 of thespider hub moving freely about the extension 12. Vlien the driverdesires to leave the car the spider hub is locked to the extension 12,this being accomplished by turning the rotatable barrel of the lool-r,by the use of a key 22, so as to withdraw the bolt 30 from the recess31, whereupon the lock 2O is bodily moved inwardly until its inner end1s seated Vin one of the recesses 13 of the cylindrical vextension l2,when the rotatable barrel of the `spider 9 of the tilting steeringwheel.V

This vspider consists of a set of spokes 32 connected at their innerends yby a `central plate The plate is formed at its center with adome-like projection 34 `through which isa central 4aperture 35, and onits underside A,has a ,pair of opposite parallel side fflanges 18, 18,arear fiange 26, and a front flange 21.

,The nontilting portion of spider `hub is connected with the centerplate 33 of the tilting wheel by a pair of links 15. These links `arepivotally connected, each at one end, with the block 27 of the spiderhub by abolt17, and, at their otherends, with the side flanges 18 of thecenter ,plate by bolts 17 Vhen the parts just referred to are in workingposition tas represented in `Fig. 2 the links 15 lie between the fiatside faces 28 of the bloclr27 and the inner faces of the depending .sideflanges 18, .practically vfilling` the A*spaces between these parts. Thelinks and ybolts described constitute pivotal connections between thespider hub 6 and the wheel of such nature that the ,wheel may be tiltedand ymay also be -bodily swung so that vit may be caused to assume aposition behind the cohunn 2, suchas indicated in Fig. l1. The axes ofthe pivots or' bolts 17,

17 are parallel so -that the several parts of the wheel are maintainedin the same planes throughout all their movements, which planes cut thesaid axes at right angles. The links 15 vare `parallel with `each otherand in the particular arrangement shown lt iey are spaced apart, and areside by side as distinguished from being in tandem, and are eachconnected at one end with the block or other element secured to andturning with the steering shaft, and at one sideof the axis of suchshaft, while the opposite end is pivoted to the central member ofthewheel, and on the opposite side of the axis of the steering shaft fromthat referred to is the location the first mentioned pivots, when hewheel is in operating position for turning the steering,` shaft. Y

The front fiange 21 of the center plate of the wheel is recessed toreceive'a pivoted spring catch 24 which is provided with an operatinghandle 25. The catch 24.is adapted to engage with an undercut portion 36of the block 27 to hold the plate 33 and block 27 united so long as thecatch is in engagementwith the said undercut portion 36.

A rigid yfixed pin 37 projects from the rear end of the bloclr 27 of'the spider hub and is adapted to lie within the recess or aperture 38formed in the rear flange, 26,V

of the center plate Ywhen the wheel is in position for use and inworking engagement with .the spider hub.

The center platei33 of the wheel covers the spider iub 6 and the end ofthe steering shaft when the wheel is in working position. .ihe centralportion of thisvplate is domeshaped indicated at 39, and throughthisdome is a central opening 35. K

V) represents thev push button or contact piece of an electric switch.that Vcontrols the horn .or signal carried by the car. v,This switchdevice is .supported by the steering shaft or vbythe nut ,7 thereon. Thespecific construction ofthe device of which the contact() is a member,and its particular use are quite Vimmaterial so far as this invention isconcerned. Asstated, it may control the.

sounding of a .signal on `the car, lor lany other electricallyoperateddeviceyor itrnay be a .mechanically lor Epneumatically.loperated control device. A' horn button lis typical, andwhen,thateirpression `is herein used it isfemployed in a typical sense.When the parts are assembledland inposition 'for use the Contact piecel40 extends .through 1the opening 35 in the dome portion of the centerplate o f the wheel inconvenient Elocation to be touched by ,the driverof .their car.

`When the Awheel is Vrtiltedior.swungit moves freely withoutinterfering` with zthecontact button, which latter remains stationary,.iso that the electric wiresor other parts which n'lay be associatedtherewith. are inot interfered with .by movements ofthe wheel.

Short spring-supported pins, .39, are mounted in the block 27 withtheir.outeror upper ends projecting` a vlittle alcove .the upper facesthereof. They are engaged by the center plate of the wheel Vand pushedinto their sockets, compressing the springs which back them, when thewheel is moved into working position and thereheld-by the catch 24.7h-en the catch is Areleased the reaction of the .springs .operatingthrough the pins 39 lifts the wheehtilting it `slightly on its pivot 17and putting it in Aposition to be easily tilted and rocked by hand.

The operation of the device ,is as follows: When the parts occupy theposition Vrepresented in Fig. 2 the wheel is in condition for use,vbeing connected with ,the steering shaftand freetoturn. Theloclr20is inits outermost position, disengaging the .extension 12 of the gear case.rPhe central lportion of the wheel, as'will be seen, has good workinglengagement with .the ,spider hub secured to the steering shaft. Theside ia'nges 18embrace the block 27 ofthe spider hub, theconnectinglinks fully occupying the spaces between the said flanges and the sidefaces of the block, thus affording lateral engagement. The pin 37* lyingin the recess 3S of the rear flange 26 constitutesv another connectionbetween the wheel and the spider hub, and gives engagement at the rear;while the spring catch 24 gives engagement at the `front as well asholds the wheel and spiderhub together in the relations just described.Should the driver desire to leave the car vhe inserts Vthe key 22 intothe lock, turns the barrel thereof to withdraw the bolt 8O and pushesthe lock 2O bodily inward until its inner end engages with one of therecesses in the extension' 12 of the gear case. The key may now beremoved and the wheel will be locked against turning so the car cannotbe steered. Should theV driver desire to tilt the wheel, he releases thecatch 24 and turnsthe wheel upon the rear con- Y necting bolt 17. Afterthe parts have been tilted to disengage the pin 37 from the rear flange26 the wheel may be swung back, the links permitting the wheelto clearthe parts at the head of the column, until it comes to the positionrepresented in Fig. 1, where the wheel is well out of the way of thedriver, occupying a position between the steering column and theinstrument board of the car.

Y Tilting and swinging movements of the wheel do not in any wiseinterfere with the horn button 40, as has been described.

Thenever the car is locked one or another set of the lugs 14 lie overand conceal the pins 42 that are employed to hold the cap of thegearcasefrom turning.. The lugs thus prevent tampering with these locking pinsWhenever the wheel is locked, but when the wheel is unlocked, may befreely moved to expose vthe pins. Y

We `do not claim in this case the combination with a stationary steeringcolumn, a

vgear case at the upper end thereof having a' removable cap, lockingpins for holding the cap in place on the gearand a steering shaftturning in the column, of a steering wheel the spider hub of which issecured to the steering shaft and is formed with lugs that cover theends'of the locking pins when the wheel is locked, but permits them tobe exposed when the wheel Lis unlocked, and a lock for uniting at willthe spider hub to the gear case, as that subject matter is present-y edand claimed in a sole application for patent iiled by Clarence A.Godshalk.

l.Vhat we claim is:

l, The combination with a steering shaft and a steering wheel forturning it, ofv

double pivotal connections` between these two, the pivots being parallelwith each other and arranged to permit the wheel to tilt, withoutbodilymovement of translation, about one pivotal. axis, and to swing bodilylwheel having a and away from the line of the shaft about the otherpivotal axis.

2. The combination of a shaft, a supporting part secured thereto, awheel for turning the shaft having a centrall part, and a link parallellinks spaced apart and side by side.'

5. The combination of a steering wheel having a spider with a centralportion, a steering shaft carrying a part turning there- Wvith, thecentral part of the wheel spider engaging with the part carried by theshaft when these are in working relationship, and connecting parallellinks between and uniting said engaging parts, arranged at the sides ofthe part carried by the steering shaft arranged to permit the wheel totilt relative to the shaft-carried part without bodily movement relativethereto, and also to'swing bodily away therefrom.

6. The combination of a steering lshaft. carrying a block with' parallelflat sides, a steering wheel with a central part having portions thatlie along side of the flat sides ofthe said block'wheii the parts are inworking positions, and link connections between the wheel center and theblock carried by the shaft, pivoted respectively to these parts.

7. The combination of a steering shaft carrying a block with parallelflat sides, a steering wheel with a central part having portions thatlie along side of the flat sides of the said block when the parts are inworking positions, a pair of links adapted to lie close between the flatsides of the latter and the parts o-f the former whichlie alongsidethereof, pivotal connections uniting the links respectively with theblock and the wheel center, and pivotal connections being with the linksnear their opposite ends.

8. The combination of a steering shaft having a block at its upper end,a steering central spider portion adapted to have directengagement withthe said block to turn the shaft, link connections between these partspermitting the wheel to tilt to break the said engagement, a springcatch for uniting the wheel spider and block at one end, andinterengaging parts, which come together when the wheel spider andblockare brought into yworking relationship but separate when the wheel isvtilted at the other end.

9. The Qomhiiiatioii with a Steering shlmt, and a pivotally supportedtilting wheehot a'iigid fixedipincarried bygthe partito which the .Wheelpivotally vconnected.y uid a socket carried ,by the steering Wheel .intowhich the pin enters when the Wheel is broughtto Working positionanclfroiiizwhich it isreniovefl when vthe Wheel lis tilted.

l0. The combination fof a ,steering shaft having a block at its upperend fori/ned with an undercut-portion, @steering Wheel yhaving a centralportion that engages' With the block to turn the shaft,eoiineetionsbetween these parts permitting` the .wheel to tilt, a spring@titoli 4,carried Thy .r the Wheel for engaging the uiiglercut portionof .the lolook.y @handle for operating rthe lCzitoh located .withiiiCorneliient reach of .the loperator manipulating-the Wheel, a pincarriecljbyolne of theeoiuieoted' parts arranged to enter a socketCarried by the other part when ,the Wheel is .,hroiight to Workingposition land from which it is removed Wheiithe Wheel is tilted, thespring catch engaging oneencl ofthe loloek and the pin and socketbeingttheother endgthereoi'.

foi-VID BEHRSING. ori-@ENCE A. 'GODSHALK-

